SECRETS of the Fender Bassman - "ABNormal Channel" Mods Unleash the Hidden BEAST!

In this video I'll show you how to modify a bone stock 1960s Fender Bassman AC568 or AB165 into a MONSTER amplifier using my "*AB*Normal Channel Mods. I'll show you how to add a Gain Control, a Presence Control, a Midrange Switch, an extra gain stage, and Marshall tone stack all without drilling a single hole or doing anything you can't undo later (not that you'll ever want to).
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[@jchavins]

Are you under the illusion that a Bassman is or was a guitar amp ? The Bassman was the only bass guitar amp Fender produced in that era. The only thing wrong with it was that it wasn't powerful enough and they came with a pair of 12" speakers that couldn't do the job. You're killing the collectibility of this amp trying to convert it to something it wasn't designed to do. If you want a guitar amp to modify in the same power class as the Bassman then modify a Bandmaster which was intended for guitars.

[@mstecker]

Ha! I am that owner! You read my mind in terms of choices. So pleased with your work! Thankfully, the worst part of the amp seemed to be the enclosure. Imagine the friends I'll make on this end when i get to start playing with it!!

[@jgrimsley2000]

"...he's using pliers!" I think my favorite thing about this channel (other than your obvious tech and playing skills) is the way you do things to get under the skin of us veteran techs. You know there are veins throbbing in our foreheads as we scream at the screen....especially when you work on SS. The first video I watched on this channel was you working on a Mesa amp with a muting problem. I'm surprised I made it to the end without suffering an aneurysm. Keep on making this one of the best guitar channels on KZbin.

[@FloridaManMatty]

I could seriously watch the amp mod videos all day. You transformed an amp that I would typically think of a really bland into a spicy little number. That extra gain stage really makes it sing.

[@williamhill6705]

leo fender will be raising a glass somwhere out there, and muttering "damn" wish i`d done that ,the tone and harmonic feedback sounded lush and smooth, the owner is one fortunate man,i`m sure he will appreciate the outcome of your input, such things must never become just a collectable artefact and be used purposefully as part of the expression of music,

[@mattharrison4238]

Another great vid Brad! This is the best channel for amp hobbyists on YT, it fills in the gaps that are left when you’re only reading about this stuff and trying to learn. It really helps me to see how it’s wired and modded, along with reading about how it works and how it’s done. Please keep more like these coming and congrats on the new sponsor!!

[@bradleyard4195]

A thing of beauty. I dig it. The Bassman was one of those amps that begged to be modded.

[@andrewsmith1520]

One of my favorite videos of yours to date! I love seeing stuff like this.

[@markbratton111]

LOVE this. If I ever reclaim my vintage Bassman again, I am sending to you, brother. That mod is off the hook.

[@IPushHard]

That thing sounds awesome.

[@Jake-fo3rg]

Brad, I love your channel and look forward to your posts everyday. I grew up as an electrician and then an electronics technician before getting my EE degree, so I appreciate your hands-on approach to showing how to do amp mods. What I would really like to see, in addition to what you usually share, is the theory behind the design mods you make. It cannot be as simple as it appears; when looking at your videos, you must really know what you are doing. Uncle Doug tries to explain the theory behind his repairs, but he usually works on antique amps which are hard to compare to even 1970's - today's vintage tube amps.

[@dezmoduo]

I did it! It works!! And I learned a couple of things !!

[@kengihepworth5761]

That's an enviable amount of feedback induced sustain, these vids on amp mods are supreme.

[@budandbean1]

When you wrote the tag “AB” and put it before the “Normal”, all I could think of is Young Frankenstein when the Doc (Gene Wilder) asked where the brain 🧠 came from and all Igor (Marty Feldman) could say was “Abby Somebody”, “ABy Normal”... Love this channel!

[@alveydoug]

Amazing video under the board through your inspection mirror! That just doesn’t happen in ANY other KZbin. Your enthusiasm for our education is great and that’s what keeps us coming back for more. Okay, the (very necessary) guitar demos are nice too. What got me here (you were linked), was a show on making practice amps from old radios. It would be fun to see your take on a scratch-built practice amp.

[@Nobody92421]

Dude... Build your own amps. I'm trying to learn 1/2 of what you know and I'm an f'n engineer. DO IT! FFS. You forgot more than I will ever know. Build it.... and they will come. (lol. you see what I did there?) Seriously. You have mad skills.

[@aviedelson945]

Great results ! Most Bassman mods on KZbin are a clean setup, but your Bassman has a real Marshall character. Your guitar work is not too shabby either - a pleasure to hear you demo the outcome. First I've seen online - fantastic work, and thank you for such detailed play by play.

[@Iam_Dunn]

GAWDDDDD, that one silver knob is a full blown assault on my OCDness... LOL :)

[@johngeddes7894]

Not the first time it ever happened, but its fun watching the science of electronics merge with the art of music. A great guitar amp is born! No complaints here!

[@mysticvirgo9318]

If you are explaining replacing capacitors for a second time, would that be a recap recap ?